If you’re new here, Welcome!

For those of you that have been following BarbErik Woodworks from the start, you know that we disappeared from farmer’s markets and art shows back in 2015. Most of you know that Barb was diagnosed with cancer a few years prior to 2015 and fought to beat it and did but continued to struggle with her health. Here’s what most of you don’t know:
In early 2015 my parents began having health problems. Ashley (our daughter/online tech geek) began spending her time between houses to care for them as well as her mother/my wife, Barb. In summer 2015, Barb’s colon cancer came back in her liver and was successfully removed surgically but left her low on energy. By the end of 2015, both my parents were diagnosed with lung cancer, my grandmother (whom my parents cared for) had suffered a stroke and Ashley was beginning to feel the ill effects of the stress on her health.
Barb, Ashley and I moved in with my parents and grandmother to care for them full-time. While we tried to maintain an online presence, it became increasingly difficult between health battles, being full-time caregivers and our webhost exchanging hands. Sadly, in 2016 we lost my father and grandmother. Two years later in 2018, my mother also passed.
If not for my family insisting I go to the ER, I may have lost my life a year later as I was found to have a 90% blockage in my anterior interventricular artery: what’s known as the widow maker.
In 2020, Ashley’s health finally began to improve, while Barb’s began to steadily decline. She had constant pain in her left hip and leg which had been present since her first round with cancer back in 2012; and as it grew worse it became difficult for her to get around. She suffered from a constant lack of energy and often struggled with her life-long asthma.
Late in 2021, doctors were confident when they told Barb she had nothing to worry about, she didn’t have cancer and that the lump on her chest was simply a cyst. But once it began to grow, they became concerned. Tests soon revealed that it was breast cancer and by 2022, we learned it had spread.
After Barb’s diagnoses our son, Brian, began suffering from leg swelling and chest pain. He was found to have blood clots that required surgery to remove. Luckily, he survived and made a full recovery. Sadly, the same could not be said for Barb. Her cancer was deemed terminal. Barb passed away March 11, 2023 surrounded by her family and animals.
The last nine years have been the most difficult of our lives and running our small business just was not possible. But with the support of family and friends, I have decided I want to continue to pursue my passion of woodworking. I look forward to making beautiful creations all can enjoy and appreciate you stopping by. Check out the shop and follow me social media to see new pieces and what I’m up to next.
I hope you return again soon,
Erik